Russian Punk Prayer

Russian punk prayer

Mikhail Metzel / Associated Press

Maria Alyokhina, member of a Russian feminist punk group, appears behind bars in a court in Moscow. She and two other band members are facing trial for performing a "punk prayer" against Vladimir Putin from a pulpit of a Moscow cathedral before Russia's presidential election in March, in which Putin won a third term.

Maria Alyokhina, member of a Russian feminist punk group, appears behind bars in a court in Moscow. She and two other band members are facing trial for performing a "punk prayer" against Vladimir Putin from a pulpit of a Moscow cathedral before Russia's presidential election in March, in which Putin won a third term. (Mikhail Metzel / Associated Press)

Three Russian feminist rockers who performed a "punk prayer" in a Moscow cathedral in protest of Vladimir Putin's presidential bid went on trial Monday. They pleaded not guilty to charges of hooliganism, which could carry a punishment of up to seven years in prison.